Vehicle Optical Assembly Modular Heat Dissipation and Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle lighting and signal apparatuses have complex assembly processes due to the fixed integration of light sources, heat dissipating components, and reflectors, which complicates the assembly and adjustment of optical assemblies.

Innovation Solution

The optical assembly comprises a heat dissipating module, a light emitting module, and a reflecting module, with connecting plates and a rib structure for simplified assembly, an adjusting module for light distribution adjustment, and heat transfer materials for effective heat management, allowing for robust and precise positioning of components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If light source, heat dissipating component and reflector are fixed together in a complex manner, then structural stability is improved, but assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The optical assembly is divided into separate modules: light emitting module, reflecting module, and heat dissipating module. Each module can be manufactured and assembled independently, then connected through standardized interfaces (connecting plates with slots and pivots), reducing overall assembly complexity while maintaining structural stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Connecting plates with slots and pivots serve as intermediary components that facilitate the connection between different modules. These standardized interfaces simplify the assembly process by providing predetermined connection points and alignment features, eliminating the need for complex custom fixtures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If connecting plates with slots and pivots are used, then assembly simplicity is improved, but positioning precision may worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidpositioning precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting plates are pre-designed with precisely positioned slots and the heat dissipating module is pre-equipped with pivots at specific locations. This preliminary positioning ensures that when assembly occurs, the components align correctly without requiring complex adjustment procedures during final assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The design replaces complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms with a simpler pivot-in-slot system. The pivot rotates within the slot to accommodate minor misalignments, while the slot width is designed to correspond to the pivot size, providing both ease of assembly and adequate positioning precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If ribs are added to protect electronic elements, then component protection is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent protectionVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The protective ribs are integrated directly into the heat dissipating module structure rather than being separate protective components. This merging of protection function into the existing heat dissipating structure provides component protection without significantly increasing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The heat dissipating module serves multiple functions: heat dissipation, structural support, and component protection through integrated ribs. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate protective structures, maintaining simplicity while improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Temperature

If heat transfer material is used between heat dissipating module and light emitting module, then heat dissipation efficiency is improved, but assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat dissipation efficiencyVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The heat transfer material changes the thermal conduction parameter between the light emitting module and heat dissipating module. By introducing a material with high thermal conductivity, heat transfer efficiency is improved while the material is applied as a simple interface layer during assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This configuration enables simplified and robust assembly, effective heat dissipation, and precise light distribution adjustment, enhancing the reliability and efficiency of vehicle lighting systems while preventing damage to electronic components and minimizing light leakage.

Implementation Method 1

a heat transfer material is disposed between the heat dissipating module and the light emitting module

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

a reflecting module (40), wherein the light source emits light that is reflected by the reflecting module

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3887715B1Optical assembly, lighting and/or signal apparatus and vehicle
Publication Date: 2024.07.24 VALEO VISION SA
  • EP3887715B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3887715B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3887715B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A lighting and/or signal apparatus and a vehicle. The optical assembly (10) comprises a heat dissipating module (20), a light emitting module (30) and a reflecting module (40), the light emitting module (30) having a light source (31) and being arranged on the heat dissipating module (20), with at least a part of light emitted by the light source (31) reaching a reflecting surface of the reflecting module (40), wherein a connecting plate (45) is disposed on a side of the reflecting module (40) which is opposite to the reflecting surface, the connecting plate has a slot (46), the heat dissipating module (20) correspondingly has a pivot (26) accommodated in the slot (46), and the reflecting module (40) is positionally fixed and connected to the heat dissipating module (20).